UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: DESERT DRAMA

Getting away from it doesn't begin to describe Anantara's new Qasr al Sarab resort set to open next month in the Rub' al-Kahli, the so-called Empty Quarter that is one of the largest deserts in the world. While it's designed to evoke ancient Bedouin tradition and resemble an old desert fortress, the resort also promises all the modern high-tech goodies, including high-speed Wi Fi and iPod docking stations, and desert trekkers can unwind with an exfoliating sand scrub at the spa.

Details: For info on the resort, go to http://qasralsarab.anantara.com. Check out www.visitabudhabi.ae for info on travel to Abu Dhabi.

PERU: ABOVE IT ALL

Curacao, Jamaica, Costa Rica, South Africa and Connecticut all have one. Now the Peruvian Amazon joins their ranks with a tree house hotel. The Canopy Tree House at Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica sits 90 feet above the rain forest and is reached by a 1,130-foot-long canopy walkway. Guests get their own personal canopy butler, reachable by walkie-talkie.

Details: Rates start around $300. www.inkaterra.com.

-- McCLATCHY NEWS SERVICE

WISCONSIN: NOW THAT'S ODD

Who says museums have to be boring and stodgy? At the Wisconsin Historical Museum in Madison you'll be treated to the banjo-ukulele used to record the Oh I Wish I Were an Oscar Mayer Wiener jingle, a collection of the creepiest of dolls and toys, and an original Bascom Hill pink flamingo, which has recently been adopted as the city of Madison's official bird. Those are just a few of the artifacts in the museum's Odd Wisconsin exhibit, which runs through next summer.

Details: 608-264-6555 or www.wisconsinhistory.org/museum.

FLORIDA: HOT! HOT! HOT!

St. Petersburg will be sizzling Oct. 4 for the second annual Hot Pepper Festival. Held at Sunken Gardens, the fest includes a variety of pepper plants, from sweet to hot, plus pepper-themed clothing, jewelry, artwork and more. In addition there are pepper jellies, food, hot sauces, hot Latin music and frosty beverages to wash it all down. Not to be missed is the Tijuana Flats' Hot Pepper Eating Contest in which those who dare will eat a mound of peppers.

Details: Admission $8 adults, $6 seniors 55+, $4 children 2-11. 727-551-3102 or www.sunkengardens.org.

Join the discussion

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.repliedToText@

@Nyx.replyAnswerText@

Reply to this Comment @Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@